The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-03-18
In Mormondom,

In Morm0ndom,
THE INTERESTING CITY BY Tue SODIUM
Seats WONDERFUL TABERNACLE
PROM DESERT to GARDEN.
Utah takes its name from an Indian
tribe, and means "those who dwell on
the mountains Salt Lake City, the
capital of the Territory, is situated on
one of the finest natural sites in the
West, in beautiful depression, 4,2OO
feet above sea level, and inclosed in a
frame of ragged mountain ranges
5000 to 10000 feet high. Twin
Peaks, which are southeast of the city,
are 1850 feet in height. The Was
atch range, near Salt Lake City, aver
age little over 5000 feet, and the
Oquinh range, which terminates in an
abrupt crest, twenty miles west OF the
city, form the background for a strange
and picturesque community.
Utah is in the parallel Of the Medi-
terranean, but the elevation gives it a
more equable climate. The winters
are quite mild and delightful. Ten
years ago, it was seldom that rain fell
between May and October, but now
we may expect rain nearly every month
in the year. The Mormons credit it
to their prayers and the favor of God,
and the Indian accuse the white man
OF always bringing it with him, while
experience shows that it is due to cul.
tivation and planting.
The mornings and evenings are de-
liciously cool, soft and pure. 1t is evil
dent that this climate of stimulating
rarity is wholly healthful, and espec.
tally to those who seek relief from pul.
monary diseases.
A mistaken idea prevails, quite gen.
orally, that the Morlnons are except.
ionally industrious. With all that
they had an undeveloped country be-
fore them rich mineral deposits a
rare climate and unlimited range for
their stock, the benefits of the ~. G.
M. /" the Zion Cooperative Mercan-
tile Institution, conducted by the lead.
ers of the Mormon church for the pur-
pose of controlling the Mormon trade,
they have done less than their nom
Mormon countrymen who have been
here half the time, and are far more
progressive and cultivated.
A Christian minister, who was
thoroughly acquainted with the Nor
mons, once said: "Nowhere in the
United States is there more saualid
poverty In proportion to the popula-
ton, or greater lack of the comforts of
life among the lower classes, than in
Utah" Indeed, it may be said that
many of the men are shiftless, and the
women are the workers, and do much
of the rough outdoor work. As a rule
they have very little to say to strang-
ers, for they are forbidden much inter-
course with Gentiles. l asked one,
who proved to be unusually talkative,
that was working in the field, why she
mid not leave such work to the men.
Her reply was: "The more we do for
our husbands the more glory here
after.
"Do you mean the more money you
save ?"
"Yes, for in time he can support
another wife,"
SIS it true that the last wife always
courts the next one"
"No, 1t amt"
SIS it the law for the men to take as
many wives as they are able to sup
port? 7"
"The more wives they can take, the
higher their place in Heaven"
"Do you think for your husband TO
take another wife is blessing from
Heaven"
She gave me look as much as to
say: "You are too inquisitive," and
closed her mouth like wise.
10 drive about the city, one of the
first places of interest is the old taber
nacle, in Temple square, adjoining the
new granite temple that has been 80
many wears in building. 1t is in the
form of an oval, and with the all
around gallery, has a seating capacity
for ten thousand people. There are
doors throughout the entire circumfer.
ence, which open to make continuous
line of archways for entrance and out
let.
Its acoustic advantages are un.
equalled, on account of its form and
the absence of any thing to break the
sound waves, there being no pillar OF
interior supports to the roof. A test
that is frequently made by the guide
to show the wonderful carriage OF
sound, is to have one of the party
stand with him by the great organ and
drop pin in silk hat; the faint sound
that follows is heard distinctly by the
others at the opposite end of the build
ing.
The choir is large and well-trained
About the middle OF the service, the
twelve elders distributed bread anG
water to the assemblage. Among
other "Songs of Zion," the refrain Of
one iuns:
"Then, oh, let us say
God Mess the wife that strives,
huu AUS Hcr uuSOdnu Ill sue can
To obtain dozen wives"
This Tabernacle is used principally
in summer.
Brigham Young's residence waf
called the 'Lion House" from the fig
ure of lion on the top, it being on,
of the group of houses including the
"Bee Hive" which has bee hive Oh
the roof, from which, like the "Lior
House." it took its name.
In the Lion House lived nineteen OF
his wives, but the Bee Hive was biz
official residence, and there he had hi
private rooms. His first wife lived il
the White House, plain house with
out any architectural beauty, a shor,
distance from the other houses. HI
had three favorite wives, Amelia
Emmeline aud Mrs. Cobb Young, who
was known as his last and "best be
loved and they occupied separate